In memory

In their eulogies Mr Jones' daughters Natalie Howard and Christine Browning gave messages of appreciation of their father, some of which covered the humorous side of his days in the past.

Tribute was also made to the care over the years that his wife, Olwen had given during his recent illness and the 68 years they spent together.

During the Second World War, Mr Jones joined the army and served in the Royal Engineers, seeing service in the Middle East and Italy campaigns.

He was also made a member of the Royal British Legion.

Refreshments at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Mr Jones worshipped, followed the service.

He leaves his widow, Olwen, daughters, Natalie and Christine, sons-in-law John and Conway, grandchildren and a great grandchild.

Local Talent at Islwyn Acoustic Club: The Islwyn Acoustic Guitar Club welcomes local musicians Jon Airdrie and the Shelleys and Brett Green to the Crosskeys hotel on Friday, June 6, for an acoustic roots double bill evening.

Crumlin-born and Blackwood-based Brett Green is a finger style and slide guitarist who's powerhouse performances reflect influences as diverse as Martin Simpson, Ry Cooder, Little Feat and Jimi Hendrix.

A pharmacist by profession, organisers say Brett deals out soulful blues based vocals and sure fire guitar licks with an ease that gets the audience crying out for more. Miss him - miss out.

Jon Airdie has been writing music for longer than he can remember.

While this may have something to do with the memory loss associated with those in their dotage, he has an extensive back catalogue, writing for a number of bands of various styles, undertaking many solo projects, composing for the stage, organising music festivals and events and producing both his own work and the work of the UK and overseas artists.

His current work with the breathtaking Shelleys - a multi-faceted, well-travelled, much-changing, and adaptable bunch of musicians - delivers highly skilled interpretations of the writer's bare, honest and otherwise unadorned songs.

The evening starts at 7.30pm with the play around/open microphone session.

The concert with Jon and the Shelleys and Brett commences at 8.30pm.

Tickets cost £5 (£4 for members/students) and can be reserved by ringing the organiser on 01495 270078.

Reminisce with the Really Cuckoo Company: It's time to reminisce with the cuckoos of St Mary's Church Hall, Risca.

Looking back over the last 14 years, The Never Ending Cuckoo Story, written by company member Karen Johns, revisits many of the most popular productions performed by the group.

It will be a variety show that allows its young members to shine.

The Never Ending Cuckoo Story will be performed on Friday June 27, and Saturday, June 28, at 7.15pm and on Sunday, June 29, at 3.15pm.

Tickets are on sale now, priced £5, available from members of the company, by ringing 01633 612171 or look on the website, reallycuckoo.com Quiz to raise funds for Africa charity: On Friday, June 13, Project Tumaini presents a gala celebrity charity quiz at Risca Rugby Club from 8.30pm.

The event was organised by two Risca teenagers - Caitlin Baglow and Bethan Trevett.

They are hoping to raise money to fund a trip to Tanzania in July this year, where they will help in an orphanage devoted to children whose parents have died from HIV/AIDS.

The people of Gwent are invited to go along to the clubhouse, answer the questions, find the link and give support to the two young ladies.

So make a team - and let's get busy with the quizzy.

Caitlin and Bethan thank you for your support and say it would be great if you could come along.

United in Song: Coleg Gwent - Crosskeys Choral Society, Risca Male Choir and Ty Sign Primary School Junior Choir once again present their Cymanfa Ganu at Moriah Baptist Church, Risca at 7.30pm on Saturday June 14.

Proceeds from this year's event go to Ty Hafan, the children's hospice in Wales, Cariad Kenya, a home for neglected and underprivileged children in Africa and Cystic Fibrosis Trust Wales, Bargoed Branch, Tickets are £3 each (or pay at the door) and are available from Crosskeys Campus (01495 333456), Ty Sign Primary School or Risca Male Choir.

All are invited to come along, hear items by the three choirs and most importantly, give voice to the hymns on the programme as well as supporting the tree charities shown above.

The evening will be conducted and introduced by Martin Hodson MBE and supported by Meryl Gittins and Kay Jones (Ty Sign School), Julie Bevan (RMC accompanist).

Thanks are extended to the Reverend John Hayward and the Moriah Baptist Church for use of its facilities.

Carnival Time is on the Way: Judging for the carnival queen and entourage for girls and boys, aged five to 16-years-old, for Risca Carnival and Fete will take place on Tuesday, July 8, at Risca Rugby Club.

The carnival and fete will take place on August Bank Holiday.

The procession will consist of floats, walking entries etc and it is hoped that street entries as well as pub, club or work colleagues will be getting involved.

So get planning your float, lorries provided free. Cash prizes for best in class.

The fete is being hosted by the Red Dragon Thunder Team, free entertainment for all the family - music, dancing and spot prizes.

All this as well as the usual fun fair rides and stalls for non-profit organisations.

Application forms will be available from Risca Post Office, 64 Tradegar Street, Risca opposite the Risca Park.

Let's put Risca on the map with a fine display.

Further details as they come to hand - watch this space.

Veteran's Day: This year's event will be held at Cardiff Castle on Saturday, June 14.

This is being organised by the Royal British Legion Headquarters and other branches.

Also, as this year is the 100th anniversary of the Territorial Army and the 90th anniversary if the Royal Air Force, it is fitting that the day starts with a 21 gun salute.

There will also be full entertainment throughout the day ending with beating the retreat in the evening, All veterans from the services are welcome.

For further details and information, please contact Glyn Noble, secretary, Risca Branch, Royal British Legion on 01633 613909.

Thanks for your kindness: The ladies fundraising section of Risca Male Choir wishes to express its gratitude to everyone who supported them at the fashion show/sale held on Tuesday, April 22, at Bethany Baptist Church School Room.

Also thanks to the church authority for the use of facilities on that day.

Knockout fun at rugby club fete: Risca Rugby Club is holding a fete with It's A Knockout-style games at the stores field, Risca on Saturday, August 9, from 1pm.

There will be many stalls and anyone wishing to enter a stall in the fete should call 07794 096822.

Radiology fundraiser: The annual prize draw for the Royal Gwent Hospital and St Woolos Hospital Radiology Fund takes place on Tuesday, June 26.

Tickets are 25p each or £1 per book.

If anyone is able to sell a few books of tickets please call 01633 234308 for the answer phone leaving details of name and address with postcode.

Future fundraising events include: * Bike Ride on September 14.

* Christmas Bazaar on November 29 (at Royal Gwent Hospital).

The organisers are looking for people to join their elite band of fundraisers.

If you have a few hours spare weekly or monthly, please call the numbers above.

Take a walk along canals: The Monmouthshire Brecon and Abergavenny Canals Trust has organised a programme of walks for the coming weeks.

The first is on Saturday, June 7, starting at 10am, this will be a 14 locks guided walk, from the 14 locks centre, through the golf course and round the reservoir - Newport's first piped water supply.

On Saturday, June 21, there will be a fun day at Goytre Wharf organised by the Goytre Boat Owners.

There will be stalls and entertainment, boat trips, by the trust from 11am-5pm.

The AGM will be held in the evening.

Crosskeys Community Group gets green fingered: The gardens are half completed with a new patio which will be stocked with plants that with stand damp and shady conditions, these will be grown in pots on top of Cotswold cobbles.

The spring flowering is coming to an end and the flowerbeds will be filled with colourful annuals.

Donations of bedding plants especially snap dragons and begonias (slugs hate them) would be most welcomed.

Tea/coffee/toast and marmalade is served from 10.30am to 12pm in the Community Hall of St Catherine's Church every Tuesday morning.

Organisers invite everyone to come along and have a chat, exchange ideas and have a laugh, followed by bingo sessions every Tuesday.

Doors open at 2pm for a 2.30pm start. Admission is £1 and raffle is £1.

A warm welcome is extended to all.

Lets get ready to ramble: Islwyn Ramblers has organised the following programme of walks.

On Wednesday, June 4, walkers should meet at 6.30pm at the Full Moon.

They will then embark on a leisurely walk to Cwmfellinfach, then return on parallel path.

The walk leader is Maggie Thomas. Call 01495 273057 for more information.

On Sunday, June 8, walkers should meet at 9am at Blackvein Road, Crosskeys.

The walk to Symonds Yat is around seven to eight miles in length. Meet at Blackvein Road.

Call Chris Geddes on 01633 891413 for more information.